Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1887-09-03
JESS.
by H.RIDER HAcGARD
Futh0Tot 'Nas soloneoEsmees SkSEte.


they sat the little bride path that branched
from the main road crossed the crest of one
of the great land waves that rolled away in
every direction toward the far horizon. John
watched the sun sinking behind it till some
thing called away his attention for a minute
When he looked up again there was a figure
on horseback, standing quite still. upon the
crest of the ridge in the full glow Of the now
disappearing sun. 1t was Frank Muller.
J John recognized him in moment. His horse
I was standing sideways, so that even at that
distance every line of his features, even the
trigger guard of the rifle that rested on his
knee, showed distinctly against the back
ground Of smoky red. Nor was that all
Both he and his horse had the appearance of
being absolutely ON fire. The effect produced
was so weird and extraordinary that John
called his companions attention to it. She
looked and shuddered involuntarily.
"He looks like devil in hell" she said {;
"the fire seems to be running all up and dow.i
him"
"Well," said Joha. "he certainly is q devil,
but am sorry to say that he has not yet
reached his destination. Here he comes, like
a whirlwind."
In another twenty seconds Muller had
reined the great black horse on to his
haunches alongside of them, and was smiling
sweetly and taking off his hat.
"You see l have managed to keep my
word" he said. " can tell you that had
great difficulty in doing so; indeed, / was
nearly obliged to give the thing up at the
last moment. However, here am"
"Where are we to outspan to-nighta" asked
Jess "At Standerton3"
"No," he said; "I am afraid that Is more
than can manage for you, unless you can
ersuade the English officer there to surren-
der. What have arranged is, that we should
cross the Vaal at drift know about two
hours twelve miles, from here, and outspan
at farm on the other side. Do not trouble
assure you you shall both sleep well to-
night" and he smiled somewhat terrifying
smile, jess thought.
"But how about this drift, Mr. Mullera"
said John. as it safe9 1 should have
thought that the Vaal would have been in
food after all the rain that we have had"
"The drift is perfectly safe, Capt. Mel I
crossed it myself about two hours ago l
know you have had bad opinion Of me. but
l suppose you do not think that I should
guide you to an unsafe driftf" and with an
other bow he rode on to speak to the two
Beers, saying, as he went, "Wil you tell the
Kaffir to put the horses mr.
With shrug of his shoulders John rose and
went off toward Mouti to help him to drive
up the four grays, who were now standing
Imply together. biting at the flies, that, be-
fore a storm, sting more sharply than at any
other time. The two horses belonging to the
escort were some fifty PAGES to the left. 1t
was as though they appreciated the position
Of affairs, and declined to mix with the ami
mails of the discredited Englishman.
The two Beers rose as Muller came and
walked off toward their horses, Muller
slowly following them. AS they came the
horses hobbled away another thirty yards or
So and then lifted up their heads, and, as q
consequence, their fore legs, to which the
heads were tied, and stood looking defiantly
at their captors, for all the world as though
they were trying to make up their minds
whether or not to shake hands with them.
Frank Muller was alongside the two men
now, and they were alongside the horses.
"Listen!" he said sternly.
The men looked up.
"Go ON loosening the reins, and listen"
They obeyed, and began to slowly funble
at the knee halters.
"You understand what our orders are. Re
peat them-youp
The man with the tooth, who was addressed,
still handling the rein, began as follows: ITO
take the two prisoners to the Vaal, to force
them into the water where there is no drift,
at night, so that they drown; if they do not
drown, to shoot them"
"Those are the ORDERS" said the Wider
beeste, grinning.
"You understand them"
ave understand. meinheer; but, forgive
u.s. the matter is big one. You gave the
S,v-Io axxriah 10 ha orfh
"Yah, YAH" said the other, SHOW us the
authority. These are two harmless people
enough. Show us the authority for killing
them. People must not be killed so, even if
they are English folk, without proper au-
thority, especially when one is a pretty girl
who would do for q mans wife"
Frank Muller set his teeth. "Nice fellows
you are to have under one!" he said. II am
your officer; what other authority do you
wantl But thought of this. See here!"
and he drew paper from his pocket "Here,
you-read it! Careful now-do not let them
see from the wagon"
The big, flabby faced man took the paper
and, still bending down over the horses
knees, read aloud:
"The two prisoners and their servant ian
Englishman. an English girl and Zulu
Kaffir) to be executed in pursuance Of our de-
cree, as your commanding officer shall order,
as enemies of the republic. For SO doing this
shall be your warrant"
"You see the signature" said Muller "and
you do not dispute its"
"Yah, we see it, and we do not dispute il. !"
"Good. Give me back the warrant"
The man with the tooth was about to do So
when his companion interposed.
mo-" he said, "the warrant must remain
with u.s. do not like the job. II it we're
only the man and the Kaffir now-but the
girl, the girl! II we give you back the war
rant, what shall we have to show for the
deed Of bloods The warrant must remain
with U.S."
"Yah, yah; he is right" said the Unicorn
'the warrant must remain with us. Put it III
your pocket, JAN"
Course you, give it to mep said Muller, be-
tween his teeth
"No, Frank Muller, no." answered the Vii
derbeeste, patting his pocket, while the two
or three square inches of skin round his nose
wrinkled up in hairy grin that, owing to
the cut on his head was even more curious